Chelsea launch £38m bid for Everton target
14 July 2016 - Chelsea Football Club - Antonio Conte unveiling - Newly appointed Chelsea manager Antonio Conte poses on the pitch at Stamford Bridge with a club shirt - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
Chelsea have reportedly launched a £38 million bid for Napoli defender and Everton target Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Sky Italy, via Sky Sports.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is keen to bring in a new centre-back to provide further competition to John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma this summer, and the former Italy manager is a huge fan of the 25-year-old, who is looking to leave the 2016 Serie A runners-up after refusing to sign a new contract.
The Senegal international, who joined the Italian side from Genk in 2014, has made 79 appearances in all competitions for Napoli, scoring once.
Premier League rivals Everton are also interested in the centre-half, although any potential deal from the Toffees is likely to depend on whether John Stones seals a rumoured £50 million transfer to Manchester City in the coming weeks.
If Koulibaly does move to Stamford Bridge, he would become Chelsea’s third signing of the summer, following in the footsteps of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille, and N’Golo Kante from Leicester City.